Psalm 44:18 (ESV)

18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way;

The people’s hearts did not turn away from the Lord. Their feet did not stray off the path. Despite the difficult time—when God surrendered them to their enemies—they have not, in their hearts and way of living, strayed from the Lord. They remained true to the covenant in word and deed; yes, sincerely. Let us not put away these words as Phariseeism. We may also think of Job. In his tremendous suffering, almost completely given over to Satan, Job remained true to the Lord.